Light control apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A light control apparatus includes a diffuser plate, a light source, a light pipe, and a light blocker. The diffuser plate includes at least one opening therein. The diffuser plate includes feature located around the opening in the diffuser plate that exposes a portion of the diffuser plate. A light source positioned proximate a second surface of the diffuser plate is optically coupled to a light pipe positioned around a portion of the opening near the second surface of diffuser plate. A light blocker is positioned near a second portion of the at least one feature. The light blocker is positioned between the light source and the second portion of the feature, the light blocker having an opening therein to allow light to pass from the light source to the diffuser plate proximate the second portion of the feature.

FIELD

This disclosure is generally directed to electronic interfaces and morespecifically to light control apparatus for illuminating electronicinterfaces.

BACKGROUND

Instrument panels in all types of applications are being lit so they areviewable at night. The light intensity must be controlled so that it ishigh enough to be visible yet low enough to prevent loss of night visionfor night operation of a vehicle by a human. Therefore, the lightintensity needs to be carefully controlled

Electronic interfaces are now becoming common in all types of vehicles.For example, today's vehicles feature USB ports for various electronics.People can power phones, tablet computers, viewers, battery chargers, orany type of device with a USB port. Airplanes now feature USB ports andheadphone jacks and 120 V receptacles for each passenger to use whilewatching movies streamed over WIFI on the airplane. Automobiles now alsofeature various connectors at various positions inside the car. Thesefeatures need to be lit so that users can find them in low lightconditions.

Device use continues to rise. The result is a need to pack moreelectronics into a limited space to meet the increased demand forsmaller devices. The connection space in an automobile or an airplane orany other vehicle is limited. Therefore, there is a need to pack moreconnections in the same or even a smaller space. A prime example is thedevelopment of the USB-C connector or interface which is smaller thanthe USB-A connector. These connectors are being more closely spacedwhich constrains current designs for delivering light to areas near aUSB-C connector.

In addition, the solution for delivering light to the connector must beaesthetically appealing in order to convey a feeling of quality in theentire end product.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a light control apparatus includes a diffuserplate, a light source, a light pipe, and a light blocker. The diffuserplate includes at least one opening therein. The diffuser plate alsoincludes a first surface having an opaque coating and second surface.The first surface also includes a feature around the opening in thediffuser plate that exposes a portion of the diffuser plate. In otherwords, the opaque material is removed at the feature around the openingin the diffuser plate. The light source positioned proximate the secondsurface of the diffuser plate. The light pipe is optically coupled tothe light source. The light pipe is positioned around a portion of theopening near the second surface of diffuser plate. The light pipedelivers light to the diffuser plate around a first portion of the atleast one feature. The light blocker is positioned near a second portionof the at least one feature. The light blocker is positioned between thelight source and the second portion of the feature, the light blockerhaving an opening therein to allow light to pass from the light sourceto the diffuser plate proximate the second portion of the feature, theopening being smaller than the light blocker.

According to another aspect, a method of lighting a feature associatedwith a diffuser plate includes optically coupling a light source to alight pipe positioned around a first portion of the feature. The methodfurther includes blocking a majority of direct light from the lightsource from being directed toward a second portion of the feature with alight block positioned between the light source and the feature, andallowing a portion of the direct light from the light source to bedirected through an opening in the light block towards the secondportion of the feature. Light from the light pipe lights a first portionof the feature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a dashboard component that includesa light control apparatus, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view showing some of the components ofthe light control apparatus, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the light control apparatus, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 4 is a rear isometric view of the light control apparatusillustrating an aperture formed within the light blocker according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 5 is magnified isometric view of the light tunnel or apertureformed within the light blocker according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a rear, isometric cutaway view of the dashboard component witha top portion cutaway to illustrate the diffuser material located withinthe light tunnel or aperture in the light blocker, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 7 is a rear, isometric cutaway view of the light control apparatusand housing with a portion of the reflector cut-away to illustrate theposition of the light pipe, and other components, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of a reflector, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the light pipe according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method of illuminating the featuresurrounding the opening of the dashboard component according to someembodiments.

FIG. 11 is a graph of emission intensity (y axis) versus the wavelengthof the light (x axis) of a multichromatic light source.

FIG. 12A is a CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram associated with providingmultichromatic light at the feature surrounding the opening, asinitially measured at points A1, A2, A3, and A4.

FIG. 12B is a CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram associated with providingmultichromatic light at the feature surrounding the opening measured atpoints A1, A2, A3, and A4 after the light has been changed to be closerto matching.

FIG. 12C is a CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram associated with providingmultichromatic light at the feature surrounding the opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is front isometric view of a housing 100 for a dashboardcomponent that includes a light control apparatus 300 (shown in FIG. 3),according to some embodiments. The housing 100 includes a main body 110.The main body 110 includes features for attaching the housing 100 to aninstrument panel, such as the dashboard of an automobile. Attached tothe main body 110 is a diffuser plate 120. The diffuser plate has afirst surface or side 122 which is external with respect to the housing100. The diffuser plate 120 also has a second surface or side 124 (shownin FIG. 3) which, when attached to the housing 100, forms an internalsurface not generally viewable when looking at a dashboard. The diffuserplate 120 includes at least one opening 130, therein. In FIG. 1 thereare two openings 130, 132. The openings are sized to accept anelectrical connector. These can be sized for any type of electricalconnector that may be used. In this particular example, the openings130, 132 are sized to receive USB-C electrical connectors. The diffuserplate surface 122 is covered with an opaque material 126, such as paintor the like. The inner portion of the openings, 131 and 133, can also becovered with an opaque material. A halo 140 circumscribes the opening130. Another halo 142 circumscribes the opening 132. The halos 140, 142are formed by removing a portion of the opaque material 126 to exposethe diffuser plate 120. Light in the diffuser plate 120 illuminate thehalos 140, 142. In one embodiment, the opaque material is removed bylaser etching the opaque material 126 to expose a halo-shaped portion ofthe diffuser plate surface 122. This illuminates the halo so that a usercan find the opening 130, 132 in low light conditions. The opaquecovering may also be provided with other images 141. The images 141shown in FIG. 1 relate to the function of the opening. In other words,it indicates which type of electrical conductor can be used.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the housing 100 showing some ofthe components of the light control apparatus 300, according to someembodiments. The housing 100 includes the main body 110 and attacheddiffuser plate 120. The first diffuser plate surface 122 is shown. Alsoshown is a light pipe 320 and a reflector 700. The light pipe 320carries and delivers light to the second surface 124 of the diffuserplate 120. The reflector 700 is positioned near the light pipe 320 andreflects light back to the second surface 124 that would normally travelinside the main body 110 of the housing 100. The housing 100 and themain body 110 is made of an opaque material to contain any stray light.

FIG. 3 is a backside view of the light control apparatus 300, accordingto some embodiments. FIG. 3 shows the specific arrangement of thevarious components of the light control apparatus 300, including thelight pipe 320. The view shown in FIG. 3 is without the reflector 330 sothat the structure below the reflector can be shown and discussed inmore detail. Now looking more closely at FIG. 3, the second side orsecond surface 124 of the diffuser plate 120 is shown attached to themain body 110 of the housing. The light pipe 320, which is part of thelight control apparatus 300, is attached to the light diffuser plate120. The light pipe 320 is shaped so that it circumscribes a firstportion of the opening 132 and a first portion of the opening 134 in thediffuser plate 120. The light control apparatus also includes a lightsource 310 which is optically coupled to the light pipe 320 at a firstlight input 322 and a second light input 324. The light pipe 320 isshaped so that it extends to the light source 310. As shown, the lightsource 310 includes a first LED 312 and a second LED 314. The LEDs 312,314 are monochromatic in some embodiments and multichromatic in otherembodiments. Generally, both of the LEDs 312 and 314 are substantiallyidentical with respect to the light they output. The light source 310 ispositioned proximate the second surface 124 of the diffuser plate 120.The LEDs 312, 314 are positioned proximate a first light input 322 and asecond light input 324, respectively. The LEDs 312, 314 are positionedso that they are optically coupled to the first light input 322 and thesecond light input 324. Although LEDs are shown here, it is contemplatedthat another type of light source could be used.

The arrangement of the light control apparatus 300 is symmetrical. So,rather than describe both sides, the discussion will now be directed toone opening 130 for the sake of simplicity. The light pipe 320 includesa spur 326 that carries light to an end of the first portion of theopening 130. The light pipe 320 also includes a plurality of facets 328that direct that allow the light to exit the light pipe 320. The size ofeach facet 328 is varied to allow more or less light to pass out from aparticular facet 328. As light travels down the light pipe, the amountof light within the pipe diminishes as light is let out of facets alongthe light pipe 320. Therefore, the facets 328 nearing the end of thelight pipe 320 may be larger so that a similar amount of light may beoutput proximate the end of the light pipe 320 as at another smallerfacet closer to the light source.

The objective of the light control apparatus 300 is to distribute lightaround the openings 130, 132 so there are no bright spots. Thus, lightfrom the light pipe 320 is controllably released around a first portionof the opening 130, 132. Stray light from the light source 310 wouldcause a bright spot near the second portion of the opening 132. Thesecond portion of the opening 132 is nearest the light source 310 andnearest LED 312. In order to control stray light from making the secondportion of the opening too bright or brighter than the first portionwhich is lit by the light pipe 320, a light blocking rib 340 is placedbetween the light source 310 and the second portion of the opening 132.This prevents a condition where stray light from LED 312 would brightenthe second portion of the opening brighter than the first portion of theopening 132.

As can be seen, the space constraints prevent the light pipe 320 or thespur 326 of the light pipe 320 from being positioned near the secondportion of the opening 132. The second portions of the opening is nearthe LED 312. The light blocking rib 340 has an aperture 342 (shown inFIG. 4) therein which provides a light path from the light source 310 tothe second portion of the opening 132. The aperture 342 can be a tunnelhaving any type of cross-sectional shape. The size of the aperture 342in the light blocking rib 340 is varied to control the amount of lightdelivered to the second portion of the opening 132. The size of theaperture 342 also controls the intensity or brightness of the light atthe second portion of the opening 132. In some embodiments, the aperture342 or light path includes diffuser material 129 (shown in FIG. 4). Thiswill also affect the brightness somewhat at the second portion of theopening 132. In some embodiments the amount of diffusing material in theaperture 342 in the light blocking rib 340 is less than the entirevolume of the aperture 342. The diffuser material 129 in the aperture342 in some embodiments, will be substantially the same as the diffusermaterial 129 of the diffuser plate 120.

FIG. 4 is a rear isometric view of the light control apparatus 300 withthe light pipe 320 removed, illustrating the light blocking ribs 340,340′ and the apertures 342, 342′ formed within the light blocking ribs340, 340′ according to some embodiments. The light pipe 320 is removedso the arrangement can be seen more clearly. The isometric view showsthe second surface or side 124 of the diffuser plate 120. The diffusermaterial 129 is positioned around the opening 132, 130 in the diffuserplate 120. The diffuser material 129 can be attached to another plasticmaterial to form an insert around the opening 132, 130. In otherembodiments, the entire diffuser plate 120 can be made of diffusermaterial 129. The light blocking rib 340, 340′ has an aperture 342, 342′therein. The one end of the aperture 342 can be seen at a position nearthe LED 312 while the other end of an aperture 342′ is seen near opening130. The apertures 342, 342′ have diffuser material 129 therein. Thediffuser material in the apertures 342, 342′ is the same as the diffusermaterial near the openings 130, 132 in the diffuser plate 120. Again,the light control apparatus 300 is symmetrical and the light blockingribs 340, 340′ are also symmetrical.

FIG. 5 is a magnified isometric view of the light aperture 342 formedwithin the light blocking rib or light blocker 340, according to someembodiments. Again, the light pipe has been removed from FIG. 5 so thatthe aperture 342 can be seen more clearly. The aperture 342 has diffusermaterial 129 therein. As shown, the diffuser material 129 substantiallyfills the volume of the aperture 342. In some embodiments, the diffusermaterial 129 can start a distance from the opening or entrance of theaperture 342.

Now looking briefly at both FIGS. 4 and 5, the light blocking ribs 340,340′ are connected by a connecting rib 350 and a connecting rib 352 toform a rectangular box structure. The LEDs 312, 314 are connected toconnecting rib 352. Of course, the LEDs 312, 314 are provided withelectrical power (connectors and wiring not shown) so they generatelight in a direction toward the first and second light inputs 322, 324(shown in FIG. 3) of the light pipe 320 and in the direction of theconnecting rib 350.

FIG. 6 is a backside, isometric view of the dashboard component with atop portion of the light blocking ribs 340, 340′ cutaway to illustratethe diffuser material 129 located within the light aperture 342, 342′,according to some embodiments. As shown, the top portion of the housing100 is also cut away. FIG. 6 shows that the diffuser material 129substantially fills the entire volume of the apertures 342, 342′ in thelight blocking ribs 340. 340′. Also shown in FIG. 6 are the housings forthe electrical components 610, 620. In this particular embodiment, theseare housings for USB connectors and more specifically USB-C connectorswhich are positioned to receive a male portion of a USB-C connectorthrough the openings 130, 132 in the diffuser plate 120. It iscontemplated that this invention is equally applicable with other typesof connectors or other types of electrical devices.

FIG. 7 is a rear, isometric cutaway view of the light control apparatus300 and housing 100 with a portion of the reflector 700 cut-away toillustrate the position of the light pipe 320, and other components,according to some embodiments. Associated with the housing 100 is thediffuser plate 120 that includes openings 130, 132 therein. The lightpipe 320 includes first and second light inputs 322, 324 which arepositioned near LEDs 312, 314 which are among the components of thelight source 310. The light pipe 320 is positioned on the second surfaceor side 124 of the diffuser plate 120 near the edge of the openings 130,132. The light pipe is positioned behind the halos 140, 142 (shown inFIG. 1) on the first side or surface 122 of the diffuser plate 120. Thereflector 700 includes a reflective surface 710 which is positioned nearthe facets 328 of the light pipe 320. The reflective surface 710 of thereflector reflects light from the facets 328 of the light pipe 320toward the diffuser material 129 near the openings 130, 132 in thediffuser plate 120. The reflective surface 710 substantially covers theportions of the light pipe 320 which are near the openings 130, 132 inthe diffuser plate 120. The reflector 700 reflects light from the facets328 in the light pipe 320. The reflector 700 also disperses the lightfrom the facets 328 so that the light is spread or dispersed more evenlywhen it contacts the diffuser material 129 in the diffuser plate 120near the openings 130, 132 in the diffuser plate 120. The result is asubstantially even distribution of light from the light pipe 320 aroundthe openings 130, 132. The reflected light from the light pipe 320produces this even distribution of light at a first portion of theopening 130 and at a first portion of the opening 132.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a reflector 700, according to someembodiments. Further aspects of the reflector 700 will now be discussedwith respect to FIGS. 7 and 8. The reflective surface 710 of thereflector 700 is shown in full. This reflective surface abuts the lightpipe 320, as shown in FIG. 7. The reflective surface 710 is attached toa frame 701. Attached to the frame is an attachment beam 720 whichincludes attachment openings 722, 724 therein for receiving fasteners tofasten the reflector 700 to the housing 100. The reflector also includesa locating tab 730 which fits into a notch in the housing. Additionally,the reflector 700 includes an elongated standoff 740, and two shortstandoffs 742, 744. The standoffs 740, 742, 744 have substantially thesame depth and are used to space the reflective surface 710 of thereflector 700 with respect to the light pipe 320 and with respect to thediffuser plate 120. The reflective surface 710 is generally uniform incolor. The reflective surface can be painted or otherwise treated tochange the color of the light from the light pipe 320 before it isdirected to the diffuser plate 120. The distance between the reflectivesurface 710 and the light pipe 320 is controlled to control thedirection and dispersion of the reflected light. The standoffs 740, 742,744 contact the housing 100 in some embodiments. In other embodiments,the standoffs contact the diffuser plate 120. The reflective surface 710also include pinhead spacers 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 756, 757which space the reflective surface 710 of the reflector 700 with respectto the faceted surface of the light pipe 320. The spacers 750, 751, 752,753, 754, 755, 756, 757 have an end attached to the reflective surfaceand a free end which contacts the light pipe 320. The spacers 750, 751,752, 753, 754, 755, 756, 757 do not align with the facets 328 of thelight pipe 320.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the light pipe 320 according to someembodiments. As mentioned previously, the light pipe 320 includes thefirst light input 322 and the second light input 324. These inputs arepositioned near the light source, which in this case is LED 112 near thefirst light input 322, and LED 114 near the second light input 324. Thelight pipe 320 includes a first arm 930 and a second arm 932. The firstand second light inputs 322 and 324 are the free end of the arms 930 and932, respectively. The first arm 922 wraps around the opening 130 in thediffuser plate 120, and the second arm 932 wraps around the opening 132in the diffuser plate 120. Light travels along the length of each of thearms 930, 932 to a bridge 950. The light in the arms 930, 932 issubstantially dissipated over the length of the respective arm 930, 932.The arm 930 wraps around a first portion of the opening 130 in thediffuser plate 120, and the arm 932 wraps around a first portion of theopening 132 in the diffuser plate 120. The light pipe 920 does notdeliver light the second portion of each of the openings 130, 132 in thediffuser plate 120. As mentioned above, apertures 342 and 342′ in therespective light blockers 340, 340′ deliver light to the second portionof each of the openings 130, 132. The apertures include diffusermaterial 129.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method 1000 of illuminating the featuresurrounding the opening of the dashboard component according to someembodiments. The method 1000 includes optically coupling a light sourceto a light pipe positioned around a first portion of the feature 1010.Light from the light pipe lights a first portion of the feature. Themethod 1000 also includes blocking a majority of direct light from thelight source from being directed toward a second portion of the feature1012. A light block is positioned between the light source and thefeature to block most of the light. The method 1000 also includesallowing a portion of the direct light from the light source to bedirected through an aperture in the light block towards the secondportion of the feature 1014. If there are multiple features a lightblock may be associated with each feature. The size of the aperture isvaried to vary the brightness of the feature receiving light through theaperture. When the light source monochromatic, the light passing throughthe light tube will be the same color as the light passing through theaperture. In some embodiments, it is necessary to adjust the brightnessat the second portion to make it substantially as bright as the firstportion of the feature. Typically, the size of the aperture can bechanged to change the brightness so that the brightness at the firstportion of the feature and the second portion of the feature aresubstantially equal.

When the light source is multichromatic the light source includes twodifferent colors of light. An example of such a multichromatic lightsource is shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 shows a graph of emission intensity(y axis) versus the wavelength of the light (x axis). As can be seen,there are two peaks of light that have different intensity levels. Thegraph in FIG. 11 is for a phosphor-converted white LED. This LED has aspectrum with a blue peak 1110 and a yellow peak 1120. When light from amultichromatic light source, such as the phosphor-converted white LED,is passed through a light pipe it emits light of a first color. Thelight passing through an aperture in a light blocker may have adifferent color. Additional steps can be added to the above method tobalance the colors so that they appear to be the same color to the humaneye. The color at the second portion of the feature can be measuredusing an International Commission on Illumination (known by its Frenchacronym CIE) chromaticity diagram and can be compared to the color oflight at the first portion of the feature. If the colors are different,the measurements will be at different areas of the CIE 1931 chromaticitydiagram. To modify the color of the light at the first portion of afeature, the reflector 700 can be treated to change the x-y values ofthe color of the light to a light having a color which is closer to thelight x-y values measured at the second portion of the feature. One wayto treat the reflector is to paint (or use different plastic color) thereflective surface to change the color of the light entering thediffusion plate near the second feature. Another method to make thecolors closer is to change or modify the light source. In someinstances, it may be necessary to do both of the above in order to bringthe observed color of the light from the first portion closer to theobserved light color from the second portion of a feature.

The objective is to make the colors match with respect to what a humancan see. The light at the first portion of a feature can be measuredagain and compared to the light at the second feature. Both can beplaced on a CIE chromaticity diagram 1200. When measurements from thetwo light sources are grouped somewhat close together on the CIE 1931chart, generally the color difference is undetectable by the naked eye.Put, another way, the observed color of the light provided to the firstportion of the feature approximately matches the observed color of thelight provided to the second portion of the feature. The x-y values1201, 1202, 1203 from a first portion of the feature are close to thex-y values 1204, 1205 from the second portion of the feature.

FIG. 12A is a CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram associated with providingmultichromatic light at the feature surrounding the opening, asinitially measured at points A1, A2, A3, and A4. In FIG. 12A, the lightat the feature is measured at various points A1, A2, A3, and A4 aroundthe feature. The chromaticity diagram related to the initial measure ofthe points is above the feature. As can be seen, the light at points A1,A3 and A4 are closely grouped on the chromaticity diagram as designatedby the circle 1210 containing three of the measured points. The lightmeasured at point A2, a single point within a smaller circle on thechromaticity diagram is positioned well away from the group of pints A1,A3, and A4. substantially different and well outside the groupsurrounded by circle 1210. The point associated with A2 is placed on thechromaticity diagram and surrounded by circle 1212. The distance betweenthe circle 1210 and the circle 1212 is an indication of how differentlythe light at the point A2 is from the rest of the points.

FIG. 12B is a CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram associated with providingmultichromatic light at the feature surrounding the opening measured atpoints A1, A2, A3, and A4 after the light has been changed to make thepoints A1, A2, A3, and A4 map out to be closer on the chromaticitydiagram. The dots corresponding to the light measured at points A1, A2,A3, and A4 are now more closely positioned but are not forming a tightgroup. Consequently, there may be some difference in the color of thelight as detected by a human.

FIG. 12C is a CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram associated with providingmultichromatic light at the feature surrounding the opening. As can beseen, the measures of the light at the first portion of the feature(points A1, A2 and A3, and the light at the second portion of thefeature, depicted by point A2, are grouped near one another. Thisindicates that the color match is sufficiently close so as not to bediscernable to the user of an instrument panel which includes the lightcontrol apparatus 300. The x-y values 1201, 1202, 1203 from a firstportion of the feature are close to the x-y values 1204, 1205 from thesecond portion of the feature.

DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE EMBODIMENTS

The following are non-exclusive descriptions of possible embodiments ofthe present invention.

According to one aspect, a light control apparatus includes a diffuserplate, a light source, a light pipe, and a light blocker. The diffuserplate having at least one opening therein. The diffuser plate alsoincludes a first surface having an opaque coating and second surface.The first surface also includes a feature around the opening in thediffuser plate that exposes a portion of the diffuser plate. In otherwords, the opaque material is removed at the feature around the openingin the diffuser plate. The light source positioned proximate the secondsurface of the diffuser plate. The light pipe is optically coupled tothe light source. The light pipe is positioned around a portion of theopening near the second surface of diffuser plate. The light pipedelivers light to the diffuser plate around a first portion of the atleast one feature. The light blocker is positioned near a second portionof the at least one feature. The light blocker is positioned between thelight source and the second portion of the feature, the light blockerhaving an opening therein to allow light to pass from the light sourceto the diffuser plate proximate the second portion of the feature, theopening being smaller than the light blocker.

The method of the preceding paragraph can optionally include,additionally and/or alternatively any, one or more of the followingfeatures, configurations and/or additional components.

The aperture in the light blocker may be varied in size to control theamount of light delivered to the second portion of the diffuser plate.

The light source may be a light emitting diode.

The light the light source can produce monochromatic light.

The light control apparatus may also include a reflector. For example,the light pipe may be positioned between the diffuser plate and thereflector.

The light source may also produce multichromatic light.

The light passing through the at least one aperture in the light blockerhas a first light characteristic, and the light emitted by the lightpipe may have a second characteristic. The reflector may be treated sothat the characteristic of the light from the light pipe as reflected bythe reflector is changed substantially to the first light characteristicwhen directed to and passing through the diffuser plate.

The light characteristic may be a CIE value.

The light characteristic of the light passing through the light pipe andthe diffuser plate has a first CIE value visible at the first portion ofthe feature, and the light passing through the aperture in the lightblocker produces a second CIE value at a second portion of the feature.The first CIE value and the second CIE value appear substantially equalat the feature surrounding the opening on the front surface of thediffuser plate.

The light control apparatus may also include a housing. The diffuserplate, the light pipe, the light block and the light source may beattached to the housing. The first surface is located at an exteriorposition with respect to the housing. The light pipe, light blocker andlight source may be located near the second surface of the diffuserplate on the interior of the housing.

Diffuser material may be positioned within the aperture of the lightblocker.

A method of lighting a feature associated with a diffuser plate includesoptically coupling a light source to a light pipe positioned around afirst portion of the feature, blocking a majority of direct light fromthe light source from being directed toward a second portion of thefeature with a light block positioned between the light source and thefeature, and allowing a portion of the direct light from the lightsource to be directed through an opening in the light block towards thesecond portion of the feature. Light from the light pipe lights a firstportion of the feature.

The method of the preceding paragraph can optionally include,additionally and/or alternatively any, one or more of the followingfeatures, configurations and/or additional components.

In one example, the light source is monochromatic.

In other examples, the size of the aperture in the light block may bevaried to vary the brightness of the light at the second portion of thefeature.

In yet another example, the light source is multichromatic. The methodin this example may include modifying a color of the light delivered tothe first portion of the feature by the light pipe by reflecting thelight from the light pipe off a colored reflector. The color of thecolored reflector is selected based on a color of the light providedthrough the opening in the light block toward the second portion of thefeature.

The color of the light provided to the first portion of the featureapproximately matches the color of the light provided to the secondportion of the feature.

In another example, changing the light produced at the light source mayadjust the light color at the first portion of the feature and thesecond portion of the feature.

In another example, a diffuser material is within the aperture in thelight block. Thus, the light passing through the aperture

1. A light control apparatus comprising: a diffuser plate having anopening therein further comprising: a first surface having an opaquecoating and a feature around the opening that exposes a portion of thediffuser plate; a second surface; a light source positioned proximatethe second surface of the diffuser plate; a light pipe optically coupledto the light source, the light pipe positioned around a portion of theopening near the second surface of diffuser plate, the light pipedelivering light to the diffuser plate around a first portion of thefeature; and a light blocker positioned near a second portion of thefeature, the light blocker positioned between the light source and thesecond portion of the feature, the light blocker having an aperturetherein to allow light to pass from the light source to the diffuserplate proximate the second portion of the feature, the opening beingsmaller than the light blocker.
 2. The light control apparatus of claim1, wherein size of the aperture in the light blocker is varied tocontrol an amount of light delivered to the second portion of thediffuser plate.
 3. The light control apparatus of claim 1, wherein thelight source is a light emitting diode.
 4. The light control apparatusof claim 1, wherein the light source is monochromatic.
 5. The lightcontrol apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reflector, the lightpipe positioned between the diffuser plate and the reflector.
 6. Thelight control apparatus of claim 5, wherein the light passing throughthe aperture in the light blocker has a first light characteristic, thelight emitted by the light pipe has a second light characteristic, andthe reflector is treated so that reflected light from the reflector ischanged substantially to the first light characteristic when directed toand passing through the diffuser plate.
 7. The light control apparatusof claim 6, wherein the first and second light characteristics have aCIE x-y value.
 8. The light control apparatus of claim 7, wherein thelight passing through the light pipe and the diffuser plate has a firstCIE x-y value and is visible at the first portion of the feature and thelight passing through the opening in the light blocker has a second CIEx-y value at a second portion of the feature, a color of the lightappearing substantially equal at the feature surrounding the opening ona front surface of the diffuser plate.
 9. The light control apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a housing, the diffuser plate, the lightpipe, the light blocker and the light source attached to the housing,the first surface located at an exterior position with respect to thehousing and the light pipe, the light blocker and the light sourcelocated near the second surface of the diffuser plate on the interior ofthe housing.
 10. The light control apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising diffuser material positioned within the aperture of the lightblocker.
 11. A method of lighting a feature associated with a diffuserplate comprising: optically coupling a light source to a light pipepositioned around a first portion of the feature, wherein light from thelight pipe illuminates the first portion of the feature; blocking amajority of direct light from the light source from being directedtoward a second portion of the feature with a light blocker positionedbetween the light source and the feature; and allowing a portion of thedirect light from the light source to be directed through an aperture inthe light blocker towards the second portion of the feature.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the light source is monochromatic.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, wherein a size of the aperture in the light blockeris varied to vary a brightness of the light at the second portion of thefeature.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the light source ismultichromatic.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:modifying a color of the light delivered to the first portion of thefeature by the light pipe by reflecting the light from the light pipeoff a colored reflector.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein a color ofthe colored reflector is selected based on a color of the light providedthrough the aperture in the light blocker toward the second portion ofthe feature.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the color of the lightprovided to the first portion of the feature approximately matches thecolor of the light provided to the second portion of the feature. 18.The method of claim 15, further comprising changing the light producedat the light source to adjust the light at the first portion of thefeature and the second portion of the feature.
 19. The method of claim11, further comprising passing the direct light form the light sourcethrough diffuser material within qan opening in the light blocker.